[Fresh727]

Hey folks,
So I've been following a number of posts since I bought my beloved 99 4runner 6cyl 4x4 last year with 180k miles and wanted to get some advice. Over the last 6 months it has started burning coolant at a rate of about a gallon every 7k miles. It has a short bout of bellowing white smoke upon start up but stops after the engine warms up. I haven't had any other symptoms until last week when it started misfiring. I took it in and the code read misfire on cylinder 3. I had just replaced the plugs and wires so the mechanic replaced the coil and I was off and running. Fast forward one week later and it is misfiring again upon acceleration...and runs a little rough at any speed.
I just love this vehicle....when I got it I went through the whole thing replacing: timing belt, water pump, all belts, all hoses, both valve cover gaskets (though one of them is leaking between cylinders 1-3 again) I replaced all plugs and wires. Then I replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, alternator, front brakes and even put a nice set of 2011 rims and tires on it! Bought this thing for $4k and wanted to be sure it was truly road worthy as I travel alot. The above replacements cost me @$2k over the last year and I scored on those wheels at $400 for the set with 75% tread left on some great tires.
Anyhow, I'm feeling pretty certain that my head gasket is going and I'm sooooo not ready to reach that deep into my pocket to fix this at what sounds like a $3k cost. Any suggestions. I live in Palm Springs area and looking to see what my options are. Thanks for the support fellas...